The Palazzo della Pilotta was built at the end of the 16th century by the Farnese dukes as a functional complex to host administrative, cultural, and leisure functions. The name derives from the game of "pelota" (a ball game), which was played in the inner courtyard. Over the centuries, the building has undergone transformations and restorations but has always maintained its cultural function.
The Pilotta appears as a large, austere brick building, unfinished in some of its parts. It houses inner courtyards and long monumental corridors. It is a unique example of late 16th-century functional architecture, designed to contain theaters, libraries, and art collections.
Built in 1618 by Giovanni Battista Aleotti, the Farnese Theatre is a rare example of a wooden Baroque theater. Destroyed by bombing in 1944, it was faithfully reconstructed. Its wooden structure and monumental scenography make it one of Europe's most fascinating historical theaters.
The palace houses the **National Gallery** with works by Correggio, Parmigianino, Leonardo da Vinci, and Canaletto. Inside, you'll also find the **Palatine Library**, the **National Archaeological Museum**, and the **Bodoniano Museum**, dedicated to the typographer Giambattista Bodoni. It is a unique cultural hub in Italy for the breadth and quality of its collections.